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Mayner

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Everything posted by Mayner

  1. Apparently the bogies and parts of the underframe of 7L the 'Bus Coach" were incorporated into the Stradbally toastrack. The "Bus Coach" passed to BNM after the C&L closed, but the bodywork was too far gone when the preservationists rescued the remains.
  2. Featured on the 6pm TV News in this part of the World with widespread IT outages reported this afternoon in Australia affecting Banking, retail and service sectors. Self service checkouts out of action in supermarkets, similar problems with ATM machines.
  3. CIE locos/stock built/bought from the early 50s (post 53?) onwards tended to be fitted with larger buffers than earlier stock, but older stock often continued to run with their original buffers. Larger buffers heads may have been introduced to allow any item of stock to run anywhere on the system and reduce the risk of bufferlock during shunting. All my wagons are based on photos and drawings of wagons built before 1953. Photo of a van sandwiched between an A Class and a flat wagon makes a good comparison of the different diameters of buffer head and vehicle width, the Brake Vans were narrower in width than most wagons. The different in size/possiblly misalignment between the buffers on the open and Brake in the 1956 Cork photo is quite noticeable.
  4. Murphaph I wasn't getting at you or any other contributor personally, its just that the issue of buffer spacing on the IRM Bullied wagons appeared trivial in the overall scheme of things considering the sheer amount of quality stock IRM have brought to the market in recent years. I quoted you because you correctly pointed out that IRM were faced with the choice of selecting a buffer spacing that remained compatible with resprayed British models or modelling true to scale. The fact that there have been over 25 postings in the issue of buffer spacing after D G first raised the issue indicates that some people are getting "worked up" (upset/very excited) about the buffer spacing of the Bullied opens. Interestingly before IRM introduced wagons with scale buffer spacing the majority of Irish RTR models and some kits were produced with British buffer spacing and no one seems to have made a comment. Altering the buffer centres. Looking at it practically altering the buffer centres on IRM's Bullied wagons would be challenging (especially with a diecast chassis) and probably not worth the bother for the majority of modellers. A jig or fixture would probably be needed to locate and drill the new buffer holes consistently and avoid damaging the wagons.
  5. One of the interesting points to come out during the early stages of marketing the JM Design 3D printed wagons was general feedback from Irish model railway clubs that many members 'could not see the point' of buying an accurate model or an Irish wagon if a similar UK wagon was available at a cheaper price. Another is that in over 10 years of producing and selling 21mm compatible Irish locos and stock no one has commented on the buffer spacing. While IRMs earlier production was based on the expectation that customers would buy block trains of a single type of wagon, its likely that they realised that purchasers of Bullied wagons were more likely to buy in smaller quantities and take a mix and match approach with British outline stock, possibly accounting for the smaller than normal (200 pack?) production runs and focus on less usual wagons with the Flats, Oil tankers, Grain, fitted H. In the end there seems to be little point in getting worked up over a 2.0-3 mm (1:76.2 Scale) difference in buffer centres between Irish and Standard gauge stock while working to a gauge of 4'1½" to represent the Irish 5'3" track gauge. Depending on reference Wikipedia quotes 1750 +/-10mm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_(rail_transport) & 1727mm for UK and Europe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffers_and_chain_coupler
  6. Haven't had significant problems with wildfire damage to rail infrastructure but repairing/replacing road and rail bridges washed out/damaged as a result of cyclones and very heavy rainfall has become an on going issue in recent years. Interestingly substantial concrete piers on piled foundations were washed away (without a trace) on two major river crossings in recent years.
  7. Its an interesting point about the "question of gauge (EM/P4/S4) becoming superfluous & Operators not noticing a lack of scenery if they are running an intensive service. Not really an issue among the majority of Irish outline modellers who seem happy enough to stick to an established gauge. I head a comment several years ago about fewer UK modellers converting to OO because of the vast improvement in the quality of OO stock and Martin Wynne's (Templot) efforts to achieve improved running for OO RTR stock by reducing the gauge and adapting EM gauge running clearances the so called EM-2mm. Nobody had much time to notice the scenery during an operating session with several operators on a single track line (layout?) with switching (shunting) at most towns (stations) arranging meets and trying to avoid blocking delaying other traffic. Kept me busy as despatcher/operator/line controller, the crews tended to want to get over the road as quickly to have a tea break-knock off duty. 17 years after starting the layout haven't got round to building/finishing the building and structures planned and probably never will get round too.
  8. OOn3 never reached the same level of popularity among British/European modellers as OO9/HOe, I remember speaking to Pete McParlin of Branchlines many years ago sales of his Irish OOn3 kits were disappointing and he shifted focus to more profitable OO9 kits mainly Welsh prototype. While Bachmann and Heljan have introduced high quality rtr 009 models No one appears to be prepared to 'test the market" with rtr IOMR 3' gauge locos and stock, let alone an Irish prototype Suitable 12mm track and point systems have not been a problem for many years Bemo, Tilling and more recently Peco have produced HOm track and points systems which would be suitable for the Irish 3'. American 3' gauge is modelled in HO as HOn3 on 10.5mm gauge track. Colorado Narrow Gauge tends to pre-dominate locos tended to be imported brass models from Japan or Korea or recently high end DCC sound equipped die-cast models from Blackstone https://www.blackstonemodels.com/index.php Potentially looking at $4-500USD for a setam loco. In the larger scales Accuracraft UK announced a 1:20.3 scale live steam or electric model on a C&L 4-4-0T about 6 years ago but does not seem to have progressed to the manufacturing stage.
  9. For a long time there has been talk about the demise of model trains as a hobby, yet kids continue to develop an interest in trains which sometimes continues into adulthood and even old age. Growing up in Dublin in the 1960s there was a sense that railways were a thing of the past and my parents hoped that I "would grow out" of my interest in toy trains. My father eventually 'got it' that my interest in taking pictures of trains was not unlike his hobby of fresh water fishing, a lot of time spent searching and waiting often to come home without catching a fish or a decent photo. Mum finally accepted that model railways was an acceptable hobby (in my middle age) when she realised my modelling friends were respectable (successful) people she could relate to. Not just an Irish thing American, Australian family friends who struggle not to laugh supress a snigger when wife mentions my interest in trains model and prototype. Its one of the things I have learned to cope with in life and just get on with it rather than get worked up about their ignorance or preconceptions about people who are interested in railways. Although mainly focusing on RC aeroplanes, cars and diecast the local hobby shop is still a gateway for children entering the hobby with stocks Hornby (mainly railroad) complete with small demonstration layout, though ceased to stock Bachmann or Peco. Model train customers mainly children and their parents, with established modellers buying on line from specialist suppliers or direct from the US or UK. Lego remains a significant gateway to modelling popularised by Lego Masters and 'Brick Shows" in the major centres. Our child went from running (operating) trains as a 5-6 year old with their friends on my garden railway, to significant Lego Fantasy modelling projects in their pre-teens, to producing artwork on their computer with a graphic programme in their teens. Interestingly they 'operated' the railway to transport their toys/dolls between different locations rather than simply running trains round & round, saw the railway as a tool rather than an end in itself. In the end like past generations todays kids will identify and find their own solutions to lifes problems as we have always done.
  10. Is it feasible to fit an O-16.5 Quarry Hunslet or a Festiniog England engine with sound? For such a small loco Prince produced remarkable sound effects when hauling a long train of Slate Wagons in preparation for a gravity working.
  11. An e-mail to all customers to advise that I required a minimum of 25 Pre-Orders by 1st Aug in order to proceed with the latest version of the Brake Van. I re-sent the message this morning as there was no record of the outgoing message or the inbox was full in the system. I apologise for any inconvenience caused
  12. I ordered some packs of Bulleid Opens together with a single Park Royal, hopefully some day they will arrive together.
  13. I should have stressed in my last post is that the real purpose of the 'Pre-Orders" is to establish whether there is sufficient demand to continue the manufacture of RTR wagons. I expect to make an announcement by 1st August whether or not I will be producing the latest version(s) of the brake van
  14. The IRM Fuel Oil tank wagons would have been out of service by the late 70s. The Molasses traffic started during the 90s and was transported in tank wagons built for Fuel Oil traffic to the Cement factories during the mid 1960s and a small batch (6wagons) built for Burmah Oil traffic between Cork and Limerick during the early 70s. Both types of tank wagon ran on a 20T -20' chassis similar to the Cement Bubbles, and Hopper Wagons, the tanks on the wagons originally built to transport oil to the cement factories are visually similar to the IRM tanks with an anchor mounting. Molasses---Irish Cement Fuel Oil traffic conversion Molasses--Burmah Oil conversion.
  15. The updated (MK3?) RTR version of the CIE 20T Brake Van is now available on Pre-order (with zero deposit) from our website https://jmdesignmodelrailways.com/ , I expect to release rtr models of the GSWR, LMA and early versions of the CIE H Van on a similar basis. Plywood (1 running no) and planked (2 running no.s) bodied versions of the 20T Brake Van with all metal duckets will be available complete with interior detailing including stove and handbrake wheel Unfortunately we have had to significantly increase our pricing over previous versions of the Brake Van to cover our manufacturing and overheads. I am currently looking at options for re-releasing the wagons in kit form with simplified packaging to reduced cost.
  16. The six "Mansion House" tanks did not last for too long in their original condition on the DSER. Five were requisitioned for Industrial use and returned to Great Britain during WW1. the sixth was #64 later GSR 427 was rebuilt by the DSER with a new boiler, cylinders and cab that it looked more like a South Eastern than an ex-LNWR Loco Curiously in my mind the WLWR pair of 2-4-2Ts that passed to the GSWR and later GSR resemble the LNWR 5'6" '2-4-2T Radial Tanks also produced by London Road Models and once available as a GEM Whitemetal kit, Main downside is that the ex-LNWR and WLWR 2-4-2T had a quite short life by Irish standards withdrawn by the late 1930s
  17. I would recommend contacting Gaugemaster for their advice on the problem. The Seep point motors may be drawing more current than the Prodigy Advance 2 3amp rating. I experienced similar problems attempting to control Seep point motors with a Lenz accessory decoder, and no problems using the same set up to control Peco point motors. In the end I controlled the Seep motors using a bank of second hand Hornby passing contact switches (https://uk.hornby.com/products/point-motor-passing-contact-switch-black-r044) using an independent power supply. Peco produce a similar/slightly cheaper switch.
  18. Nice to see Alan's approach to Loco/scratchbuilding using so called traditional techniques. I tend to use 10Ba bolts/nuts for general assembly, limited the 14Ba to crankpins. Nice simple geometric shapes on of the nicities of steam loco construction compared to diesels and post 1960s stock
  19. I had commissioned Railtec to prepare sample transfers for the updated version of the 20T Brake Van before deciding to cease/pause production and eventually found time to complete two variations of the vans updated with sheet metal duckets. 20T Van with plywood sheeted cabin and vertical boarded balconies. Produced by a supplier trialed in 2022 not the greatest of prints, need to remove fabric/hair! All planked version with sheet metal ducket, similar to the Cultra van. Although the windows in the duckets on the Cultra Van have rounded corners, the duckets had squared corners in in-service photos. The biggest challenge was producing 2D artwork for the ducket stripes that would fit the 3D profile of the ducket. Although CIE built a single batch of 20T Brake Vans in 1950, there were several distinct variations in existence by the time the vans were withdrawn from service during the late 70s. Originally built with planked duckets, on some vans the planking was covered by sheet metal (aluminium) during the 1950s and later replaced with all metal duckets from the 1960s onwards and on some vans the planked bodywork replaced by plywood. Options for resuming production. I have been considering a number of options for resuming production of the 3D printed wagons in rtr or kit form and will be contacting customers for their feedback. Although it was in initially intended to market and sell our wagons in CKD or kit form demand has primarily been for rtr models with over 90% of brake vans selling in rtr form while demand for other types split more evenly between rtr models and kits. We would have to substantially increase the price-point to viably produce rtr models with a smaller increase for models in CKD or kit form.
  20. Quite a break through this week repaired/replaced the windows in the Large Scale loco shed freeing up space on the outdoor workbench, to allow track repair work. Shed built 2008-9 using treated construction ply overlaid with ripped down trellis rail and steel roof from an estate agents sign, similar in architectural styling to the 3' gauge East Broad Top, works at Orbisonia Pensylvannia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Broad_Top_Railroad_and_Coal_Company. Windows on one side had fallen out and wooden flashings (surrounds) needed replacement. Still got to sort out roof covering, vents and plumb up the post in the doorway! Ran a lifting train RGS style with caboose behind the loco to recover the rails from the 1st 20" section to be refurbished. First rails removed, ties left in place. Rail fastening had basically failed after 16-17 years exposure to Sunlight. Replacement panels dropped to one side. Rails were basically removed from the ties on the old RGS moved by train to the nearest roadside loading point, ties removed and trackbed tidies up with a dozer or a Drott. Ballast bed 16-17 years after the track was 1st laid fabric material is the remains of weed mat. Ironically the first section of track to be lifted was more or less where we finished the last section of Main Line in a garden railway meet in 2008. Taking realism to new levels the mark of baseplates clearly visible of the foot of the rail. The real RGS was plagued by K27 tender de-railing during its final years of operation, in this case misaligned joints on the Wye Track. Just like Portlaoise? re-conditioning rails by running them through the rolls to ease out kinks and other distortions before threading on the new ties. Repaired panel in centre stock of tie strip on right. Stock of replacement ties from supplier Sunset Valley Railroad, United States
  21. Not exactly my era or railway, but I was definitely smitten when I first saw a Maroon Hunslet and rake of blue/maroon coaches as a 14 year old at Amiens Street and definitely buy a set for display if not to run. I would probably have the same or a more extreme reaction if someone brought out a blue Vs 207 and a rake of suitable coaches which I saw crossing Gormanstown Viaduct 7-8 years earlier!
  22. Interesting stuff back in the day the Airfix (kit) and later the Hornby Schools was almost a standard donor for GNR V and Vs conversions apparently the boiler diameter and coupled wheel base were close to the GNR locos or at least looked the part!
  23. The hoonish behaviour of so called 'boy racer" has been controversial subject in this part of the World for the past 20 or so years with calls for increased police powers to deal with the problem. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350299104/increase-police-powers-deal-boy-racers-mayor. Interestingly existing police powers to seize and crush cars of persistent offenders does not appear to be much of a deterrent https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/07/were-coming-back-levin-boy-racer-organiser-says-more-to-come/
  24. I remember reading somewhere and possibly seeing a photo of a 'Tender Train" that used to run to Limerick Junction before the installation of a water softening plant possibly in the 30s, there was a similar plant at Ballybrophy. There was a comment that the train was made up of tenders from withdrawn locos Look like CIE days late 1940s a train of tenders from oil burning locos with white circle and ladders, first two appear to be Woolwich tenders. Possibly a move between Limerick/Cork and Inchacore works. I remember reading somewhere and seeing a photo of a Limerick Junction 'water train' made up of tenders from withdrawn locos that operated before the installation of water softening plant by the GSR, the GSR also installed a similar plant at Ballybrophy.
  25. It looks like there is a Velorail operation North and South of Kiltimagh on the Burma Road, no mention of the operation on this Newsgroup, worth while checking out? https://www.velorail.ie/#home
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